10 tips to make your own deodorizers for the bathroom

Deodorizers can be expensive and - as they also may contain harmful toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde - even dangerous.

It’s cheaper and safer to make your own with basic household items. Here are 10 ways to have a great-smelling bathroom:

1. Put small amounts of sweet-smelling essential oil on cotton balls, and place them in a small bowl on a shelf, or in a cup in the medicine cabinet.

2. A variation on essential oil on cotton balls: Push the cotton balls between the toilet paper roll and the holder. The essential oil scent will be released every time someone rolls the toilet paper, just when the perfume is needed most.

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4. For a more permanent (albeit more complicated) deodorizer, look for a miniature potpourri crock pot at thrift stores or garage sales. Then mix up your own potpourri with standard grocery store items, such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange peels and vanilla extract.

5. Harness the power of baking soda. Simply fill a small bowl with baking soda, and replace monthly.

6. Vinegar also absorbs odors. To deodorize the bathroom quickly, wipe down the walls and other surfaces with white vinegar. Focus on the area around the toilet, where the walls may have absorbed smells and more. If toilets are flushed with the lid up, contaminated water vapor can spray several feet.

7. For an even simpler odor solution, pour vinegar into the toilet and let it work for an hour or so before flushing.

8. Fresh eucalyptus leaves are a very effective bathroom deodorizer. You can buy them from your local florist. Keep them in a vase above the toilet.

9. A squirt of hand soap into the bowl and a quick swish with a toilet brush cuts toilet odors.

10. Light scented or unscented candles in the bathroom. A small tray of incense on top of the toilet is also a good solution.